Are You Really Ready for a Tattoo? Your guide to getting inked Shutterstock

This article was written by Taylor Bryant and repurposed with permission from Refinery29.

We don't know about you, but we think properly committing to a tattoo deserves a little more thought and consideration than, say, finally shelling out on those designer shoes you've been eyeing for a couple of weekends. While it's meant to be a fun and exciting move, it's also, you know, permanent, so it isn't a decision to be taken lightly. 

Whether it's choosing the right artist, sleeping on that design you think you maybe want to get, or considering when and where to get inked, there are a lot of things to mull over before even stepping foot inside a parlor. Ahead, we talk to tattoo artist Hector Daniels from Bang Bang Tattoos in New York City to get the lowdown on what to consider before taking the tat plunge. 

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Deciding on a Design
While we're all for (safe) spontaneous decisions, when it comes to figuring out artwork you're going to permanently add to your body, we're gonna go with not embracing that YOLO mantra. Even though there are procedures (and lots of makeup!) nowadays that can help cover up those regrettable late-night choices, it's a lot easier for both parties (and your wallet) to get it right the first time. And as with all good things, that can take time. 

"I think that the more time a client can take for themselves, by themselves, and with friends to discuss and formulate ideas as to what they want...the greater the piece," says Daniels. "Your skin isn’t going anywhere; you have all the time in the world." He adds that if you're feeling stressed out about what design to get, you should probably hold off—tattoos should come organically. 

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Placement Is Key
Do you want something that's front and center, or are you looking for ink that's a little easier to hide from the parentals or, say, your boss? Daniels says that while many customers worry about placement from a pain perspective, at the end of the day, getting a tattoo is going to hurt regardless. Location is something to keep in mind mainly for visual purposes. 

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"Wherever you want the tattoo will dictate how it gets designed," he says. "I think placement is very important because you can have a perfect tattoo, but if it’s placed incorrectly on the body, then the client can feel weird when they look in the mirror or there’s just something off...you want to...look in the mirror and feel great about the artwork, where it's positioned, and how it looks."

Click HERE for three more ways to prep before you get inked from Refinery29!